Detroit Pistons vs Orlando Magic 2/24/2024
Game Breakdown
Pistons - 109 - 112 L
Cade, Ivey, Fontecchio, Ausar, Duren
3rd Possession of the game and we see ANOTHER off ball miscommunication
I just don’t understand how this continues to happen at the frequency that it does
This one gets saved by a nice block from Duren
They had some truly “GOOD” defensive possessions in this game, even a few where the Magic just made shots at the end of them
You don’t lose games in just 1 area, usually multiple, BUT if you take away some of the Magic late clock heroics (throughout the entirety of the gameI think the Pistons get a W
Late (and untimely) TOs obviously an issue also
Are able to keep from turning the ball over for the first time until the 9:30 mark…..OF THE 2ND QUARTER!
IVEY MINUTES WITHOUT CADE
I believe these 2 can ABSOLUTELY function together BUT part of that process is the idea that you can stagger them
9:00 2nd Quarter (possession by possession)
Ivey DHO Step Behind 3PM (3-points)
Flynn Floater, missed (no Ivey touch)
Flynn Pull Up Jumper, made (no Ivey touch)
Ivey DHO gets into lane and kicks to Brown Jr. for 3PM (assist)
Multiple Drive and Kicks, Duren Offensive Foul (no Ivey touch)
6:45 (Cade re enters game)
And NOW it looks like they are running the offense through him more…..(doesn’t make sense)
9:00 4th Quarter (possession by possession)
Stack PnR that doesn’t involve Ivey, Fournier desperation 3PM at end of shot clock (no Ivey touch)
Transition layup for Fournier (no Ivey touch)
Ivey-Ausar PnR that ends in TO (Ausar mishandles, looks like he got fouled)
6:45 (Cade re enters game)
Yet again, now it’s almost like his usage goes up when Cade returns….(just makes no sense)
Two chances to take the lead as they are making the run at the start of the 3rd
Cade just careless TO and Ivey missed layup, these are MOMENTUM killers
CADE is playing awesome but he has to stop missing these C&S 3P opportunities short, you can almost see it immediately as it comes out of his hands
Bullies Franz along the baseline for a reverse bucket, this would be big time if he can start doing that to bigger defenders like that
Another one on Harris late in the 2nd quarter where he gives him just enough of a bump to clear space and get to a little floater/hook
TOUGH bucket to tie the game late
His mentality from the 3P line to start the 2nd half is EXACTLY what I want to see from him
IVEY first 3PA was fine, a little deeper in possession (I believe) and they went WAY UNDER on a screen or DHO
I just don’t like his second attempt, early in the shot clock and it’s off a skip pass where I think he can try to attack the closeout first
He still has PLENTY of room to grow defensively with his fundamentals but I continue to love the multiple efforts he gives on possessions
Another example after missed layup where he gets back and gets a block at the rim
ALTHOUGH, he has had some pretty egregious off the ball mistakes early
Floater game not working in the 2nd Quarter (or all game)
40% on FGAs 3-10 feet (this is still an improvement from last season)
DUREN WITH GREAT HAND ACTIVITY IN THE BALL SCREEN (8:15 1st Quarter)
This is something I have been BEGGING to see out of him and it leads to a turnover, great stuff
FONTECCHIO doing a nice job on Paolo thus far, at least making him really work for anything he does get
Struggling to finish it right now but another game where he is doing more off the bounce than I anticipated he could do
Will be interesting to monitor just how efficient he is off these drives throughout the end of this season
AUSAR, yet again, is MONEY with that fadeaway jumper from 8-10 feet
He simply can not be committing turnovers like this
Flat out wrong decision, loose with the ball
GRIMES defense immediately standing out in his early minutes
Actually, has a beautifully timed cut and touch pass to Wiseman off a Fournier drive
Not going to judge the jump shot in his first game back from injury time off
FLYNN gets in the game and yet again immediately puts pressure on the lane when he has the ball in his hands
He also competes defensively, even if he does give up size
WISEMAN playing with enough energy, effort and awareness to let his length be a factor during this first rotation
Interesting, Grimes throws a lob to the rim that Wiseman “doesn’t see/isn’t ready for/etc.” and you can tell by Grimes reaction he is wondering “why weren’t you there to catch that lob…?”
FOURNIER going to get his shots up offensively but he is at least showing some energy on the defensive end (probably goes hand in hand here)
And he was kind of getting buckets in this game
BROWN JR. was not good in this one
Magic
Suggs, Harris, Franz, Paolo, WCJ
They are hitting some ridiculous shots at the end of shot clock here in the 1st half
SUGGS just looks so confident and under control right now
Doing a really nice job OFF THE BALL offensively with cuts, OREBs, hustle plays, etc.
His on ball defense is REALLY impressive
And has great hands to go along with it
Forces a CRITICAL late game TO just by challenging a DHO
So good just lurking around and waiting for a chance to jump a passing lane as well
BITADZE is such a good backup center in this league, I hope he gets a chance on a roster this offseason to really get that role
FRANZ touch around the rim always leaves me so impressed
And I still think he might be one of the best off the ball movers in the NBA
Euro Step, soft touch finish is his specialty
BLACK hits a RIDICULOUS no dip C&S Corner 3P
ANTHONY is so darn good operating the ball screen in this one, does a great job “jailing” the defender and then just being patient to get where he wants to go
He has some real on ball “juice” and wiggle
Insanely heady play where he is “first to the floor” on a loose ball and is able to throw it ahead that allows Black to track it down for a transition dunk
PAOLO is just so big and strong, tough to stop him when he gets going to the basket or at the basket
ISAAC continues to impress every game I watch
Hustle plays, energy plays, deflections, cuts, OREBs, etc etc
M. WAGNER just making things happen when he is on the floor
Magic broadcast says it best “he brings it every night, you know what you are going to get from him, consistency”
And he is more skilled than many would give him credit for